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THE MINING WRAP
Tech Startup Afrobotics is advancing autonomous drone systems designed for GPS-denied underground mining environments, with active deployment focused on real-time inspection, ventilation monitoring, and hazard detection in deep-level operations. These systems are improving situational awareness in areas where manual inspection is high-risk and visibility is limited, supporting safer and more continuous underground production. Meanwhile, Reactore
BP Secures Majority Stake in Namibia’s Walvis Basin Exploration Blocks
BP is expanding into Namibia’s fast-growing oil exploration sector, joining a wave of global majors moving into the country. On April 13, the British energy group announced it had acquired a majority stake in three offshore blocks in the Walvis Basin. The deal gives BP a 60% interest in Petroleum Exploration Licenses 97, 99, and
Startup Tip: Choosing the Right Bank Account Early Drives Startup Success
Many startups don’t think seriously about banking until money is already moving something to address once revenue begins to flow. In reality, the choice of bank account plays a quiet but critical role in how a business manages cash, pays suppliers, and how quickly it can respond to new opportunities. At the earliest stage, most
Vivo Energy Scales Up Durban Fuel Storage in $130 Million Plan
Vivo Energy, a subsidiary of global commodities trader Vitol, plans to invest $130 million to expand fuel storage infrastructure in Durban, South Africa’s key port on the east coast, according to George Roberts, CEO of Vivo Energy’s South African unit, Engen Investment overview and capacity expansion The investment, which was planned before recent geopolitical tensions
Has AfCFTA Improved the Cost of Scaling African Startups?
African startups have historically operated in markets that don't match the scale of the continent they sit on. Most African countries have populations small enough that a startup can exhaust its addressable market before it ever reaches meaningful scale, and the ones with larger populations often come with their own barriers to entry. Expanding across
ExxonMobil Eyes Up to $24 Billion in Offshore Oil Investments in Nigeria
U.S. energy giant ExxonMobil is considering up to $24 billion in offshore oil investments in Nigeria, indicating renewed push into deepwater development. Hunter Farris, vice president for deepwater, outlined the plans during a briefing in Abuja before the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) on April 9. ExxonMobil is assessing several opportunities, with the Bosi
Building Functional Structures in Early-Stage Startups
Early-stage startups usually start fast and a bit messy. Things move quickly, people wear multiple hats, and decisions happen on the spot. That kind of energy is usually what helps a new business survive the early days. But as things start to grow, that same lack of structure can begin to slow everything down. Structure
Understanding the Cost Behind Free Business Tools For Startups
For many small Business startups, “free” tools feel like a lifeline. From website builders and design platforms to accounting software and customer relationship management systems, zero-cost solutions make it easier to get off the ground without draining limited capital. But while these tools reduce upfront expenses, While they reduce upfront costs, their true expense becomes
Angola Launches First Gold Refinery
Angola will launch its first gold refinery in the first half of the year as part of efforts to reduce its reliance on oil and diamonds. The move comes as global diamond prices remain under pressure, reinforcing the country’s push to diversify its mineral base and expand into resources critical for future industries. The refinery,
The Role of Corporate Africa in Supporting Local Startups
Corporate Africa is engaging startups differently in 2026, with less emphasis on innovation narratives and more focus on operational pressure. Sectors such as banking, energy, logistics, and telecoms are dealing with rising costs, strained infrastructure, and growing demands for faster, more reliable service delivery. In response, startups are being brought into specific parts of the
Founder Friday : Ulwazi Resource Consulting
There is a certain kind of founder who does not just build a business they build access, opportunity, and pathways for others to rise. Thabang Mabuza fits that description, and his journey began with clear intent. Founded in 2012, Thabang Mabuza’s journey as a social entrepreneur is rooted in one mission: creating meaningful opportunities for
THE MINING WRAP
Anglo American and Kumba Iron Ore have launched the Impact Finance Facility (IFF) to provide growth capital to SMEs operating in mining supply chains. The facility targets suppliers in maintenance, logistics, fabrication and support services, enabling earlier-stage mining vendors to access structured financing.The initiative strengthens supplier ecosystems by linking capital access directly to operational mining procurement pipelines. Canada
Are African Mines Still Running Impactful ESG Programs or Is It Just a Checklist?
With all the buzz around critical minerals, it is easy for Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) to fade into the background, even though it has become one of the most frequently mentioned terms in Africa’s mining sector. From boardrooms to regulatory filings, companies across the continent now reference ESG as a core pillar of their
Compliance as a Competitive Edge in Startup Ecosystems
For most small business startups, getting funding feels like the finish line. Whether it’s a grant, loan, or equity deal, capital is seen as the thing that finally unlocks growth. But in the rush to raise money, one critical piece gets ignored: Compliance. Compliance Is the Price of Entry Compliance goes beyond red tape. It’s
Cascador Launches 2026 ScaleUp Programme to Support Growth-Stage Startups
Cascador, an Africa-focused platform supporting growth-stage founders building transformative businesses, has opened applications for its 2026 ScaleUp programme. The initiative is designed to equip entrepreneurs with leadership capabilities, strategic clarity, and access to a powerful network, thereby helping them scale more effectively. Building Impact and Connecting Capital Since its launch in 2019, Cascador has supported
Libya Oil Output Hits Record High at 1.43 Million Barrels Per Day in Over a Decade
Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) has reported that crude oil production has climbed to 1.43 million barrels per day. According to The Libya Observer, which cited official data released in early April, this marks the highest production level in over a decade. Production Hits Decade High The increase moves Libya closer to its pre-2011
Safaricom Moves M-PESA Users to My OneApp
Safaricom has started moving users from its standalone M-PESA app to a new all-in-one platform, My OneApp, as part of a broader push to unify its digital ecosystem and defend its fintech lead against increasingly competitive Kenyan banks. The company introduced Safaricom My OneApp on April 2 during its Decode 4.0 engineering summit. After several
Cross-Border Rules African Startups Must Know Before Scalling
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is seriously changing how startups think about growth. With a single market stretching across more than 50 countries, expanding beyond your home turf has never felt more possible. But for many African startups with limited cash, growing brings a less obvious headache: compliance. Dealing with cross-border trade rules
Flutterwave Moves Into Banking as Payments Market Matures
Flutterwave has secured a national micro finance banking license in Nigeria, a move that changes what the company can do in its most important market. It can now hold customer deposits and issue loans directly something it couldn’t do before. For a business built on moving money, this is a clear step toward becoming a
Chevron Approves Aseng Gas Monetisation Project in Equatorial Guinea
Chevron has reached a final investment decision (FID) for the Aseng Gas Monetisation project in Equatorial Guinea. The company announced this decision on April 1, officially greenlighting the construction and installation of the critical infrastructure needed to extract, process, and transport gas from the Aseng field. This moves Chevron's gas assets in the country into a full